Maryland Eastern Shore sweeps past Delaware State
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) volleyball team was clicking offensively tonight, converting a third of their attacks for kills along with seven aces and six total blocks. The result was a speedy 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-19) decision over the Delaware State Hornets before a raucous crowd at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center Friday night.
While there were many leaders on the Hawks offense, it was the dynamic duo of sophomore Alana Polk (Houston, Texas) and freshman Zuzana Ondruskova who stood out. Polk registered a .389 kill percentage with nine kills against just two errors. She also added a solo block and two block assists. Ondruskova, the reigning conference rookie of the week, also tallied nine kills, adding two block assists of their own and five digs on defense.
Three other Hawks—sophomore Kirstin Fink, junior Haley Robinson and freshman Lucia Babic each supplied six kills in the victory. Fink and Robinson were also efficient, with the sophomore totaling a .455 kill percentage, and the junior finishing with a tidy .385.
For the Hornets, Jasmine Jackson was their superior attacker with a match-high 15 kills.
With the victory, UMES soared to a 15-3 overall record (4-1 MEAC). The Hornets fell to 2-16 (0-4 MEAC).
The Hawks hit the road for a Saturday evening showdown with the Hampton Lady Pirates.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.dsuhornets.com
Five-set road thriller nets Hampton first win
NORFOLK, Va. – The first edition of the 2015 Battle of the Bay, volleyball edition, didn’t disappoint Friday night in Echols Hall, as Hampton University scratched and clawed its way to a 3-2 (25-19, 25-27, 29-27, 29-31, 15-11) win.
The Lady Pirates, in winning their fifth straight over Norfolk State, picked up their first win of the season.
“The girls did a very good job tonight of stepping up and finishing the match,” first-year head coach Janay Yancey said. “I want to highlight our middles – Kyndall, Tatyana, and Kennedy – for stepping up. The girls did a good job of playing through those crunch moments.”
Reeana Richardson led the way with 21 kills, marking the second time this season that she had eclipsed the 20-kill mark. She also had three of the team’s five service aces.
Three Lady Pirates notched double-doubles on the evening: Allysa Medina (11 kills, 16 digs), Brianna Lilly (career high-tying 51 assists, a career- and team-high 23 digs), and Lena Washington (career high-tying 10 kills and 10 digs). Washington also had a team- and career-high eight blocks.
Kennedy Kenney added seven blocks.
Kyndall Nicholas had a career-high 10 kills, six blocks, and hit a team-best .615.
Hampton (1-17, 1-4 MEAC) hit .211 for the match, while also dominating at the net to the tune of a 15-5 edge in team blocks.
A 6-1 Spartans run cut the lead to 14-11, but a service error ended that run and the match.
Norfolk State (1-16, 0-4 MEAC) held a 7-5 edge in service aces.
Angie Darcus led the Spartans with 20 kills.
The Lady Pirates will play host to Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 6 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com or www.nsusspartans.com
Coppin State outlasts Morgan State
BALTIMORE – The Coppin State home crowd erupted with cheers as the Lady Eagles volleyball team defeated Morgan State, 3-2. The win also tied Coppin State with the Bears in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings as each team has 4-2 marks at the halfway point of conference season.
Coppin State senior Cindy Okpegbue led the Eagles with a season-high 21 kills. Freshman Samantha Polk and sophomore Bailee Jackson both added 15 and 11 kills respectively. Senior Chelsee Sauni came up huge with 52 assists.
Morgan State (7-13, 4-2 MEAC) battled back but ultimately fell in the final match. Led by Keana Browne, Dinah Jones, Arianna Hayden, and Evely Macedo, all of which scored 10 or more kills. Carmen Fernandez added 55 assists for the Bears.
The win pushed Coppin State into third place in the Northern division of the MEAC and knocked Morgan State down to fourth.
Coppin State will head on the road for another conference meeting with Howard University on Sunday October 18 at 3:00 pm in Washington D.C.
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com or www.morganstatebears.com